Johnny’s eyes slowly opened as a groan escaped his lips, rubbing his head with the hand that was previously holding the doll. His nose scrunched together in disgust from the burning smell that was coming from downstairs. He dragged his feet off the bed, being met with his little him sitting on a shelf near his dressers. He hummed in confusion but got up to check where the smell was coming from.

His body dragged him down the narrow steps as he wandered into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. The smell got more intense as he looked at the tray of burnt scones sitting on the hob of the cooker. He had been home alone for a week now, his parents having gone on a business trip together, nobody else could have baked anything.

He grunted in confusion and opened a window, letting air seep in to get rid of the foul smell. “I don’t remember baking anything last night...” he muttered the words to himself and threw out the burnt goods. He sighs and throws the grey baking tray into the sink before walking back upstairs, waddling into his room.

He looked to the shelf where his little me was sitting and soon realized that it was no longer sitting there. He frantically looks around, eyes landed to the window with the mint green curtains, finding the doll sitting with arms crossed on the windowsill. He took a few slow steps back, pulling a closed fist over his beating heart. He was terrified.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

He immediately got changed, ran downstairs after grabbing his phone, put on his black vans and ran out the door. He locked the door behind him and went to Sam’s, not looking back at the doll that was now facing the window. He felt shivers going down his spine, goosebumps covering his arms that were covered by the sleeves of his black hoodie.

By the time he reached Sam’s house he was panting and hectically knocked on the large door. Sam yelled ‘who is it’ behind the door. “It’s Johnny, please let me in, I’m going crazy!” Sam immediately opened the door and Johnny stared at her for a minute. Her short chestnut brown hair had highlights in it and looked disheveled. Her hazel eyes peered at him with concern laced through them as she took her hands out of the pockets of her cargo pants.

He tried opening his words only for the words to get caught in his throat. He began tearing up and hugged her, holding her as close as he could. Sam was shocked but nonetheless returned the hug and rubbed his back comfortingly.

“What’s wrong?” her voice rang in his ears, a soft tone emitting throughout the hallway. “I don’t know” he pauses for a second, unsure if she would believe it. “It’s nothing, just please hold me” she hums in response to show she will be there for him. They spent the next few hours sitting in Sam’s room and watched movies together.